Capitals not forgetting about Rene Bourque, but focus is on the two points

It took just nine seconds into Rene Bourque’s first shift Jan. 18 for the Washington Capitals’ Matt Hendricks to challenge him to fight. On Jan. 3, then with the Calgary Flames, Bourque put Nicklas Backstrom out of the lineup with a reckless elbow to the head.

That was a way of getting some sort of retribution, but it might not be the end of the whole situation for the Montreal Canadiens forward.

The idea of putting Rechlicz on waivers is to send him back to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League. The 24-year-old enforcer played just two games with the Caps for a total of 4:16.

“It’s been good. I’ve just got to keep working hard,” Rechlicz said Friday. “Keep everything simple on the ice and just keep a positive attitude. I’m here to work. Just go down with a positive attitude and hopefully I come right back.”

Rechlicz was told he might be back for games next weekend. The Caps only have one game next weekend, at the rough and tough New York Rangers.

Hunter was complimentary of Rechlicz, despite his limited tangible impact.

“He was vocal, and he took the body and on the road there, there was no physicality going on or nothing,” the Caps’ coach said. “He took care of that, so he was a force out there.”

Aucoin back

Keith Aucoin isn’t a hot-shot prospect. But the 33-year-old is a likely future AHL Hall of Famer because of his potent point production.